Landemer Day could be under threat

Under savings proposals in South Lanarkshire Council’s revenue budget for 2014/2015 published earlier this month, gala days across the county could see soaring costs as the authority look at ways to save money.

Rutherglen’s historic Landemer Day could be under threat if council plans to increase charges to local gala days go ahead.

Under savings proposals in South Lanarkshire Council’s revenue budget for 2014/2015 published earlier this month, gala days across the county could see soaring costs as the authority look at ways to save money.

Under ‘Recharging Public Event Support Costs’ it says charges will “range from around £300 to £8000” to support the 25 events held each year, the two main ones being Landemer Day and Lanimer Day in Lanark.

The issue cropped up at this month’s meeting of Rutherglen Community Council, with chair of the Landemer committee Jim Nixon, as well as councillors, expressing concern.

Councillor Robert Brown said: “The Landemer thing is worrying. For the council, in the overall scheme of things, the money at that level is minor, but for Landemer it’s relatively major. I hope there can be some degree of change in these proposals.”

At present the Landemer committee receive an annual grant of £4100 but the cost of running the event is around £8000 each year. If prices hike up it could place one of the biggest days in Rutherglen’s calendar under threat.

At the meeting, Jim pointed out that storing the stage in Burnhill Sports Centre, council workers, flowers around the stage and the use of Eastfield Lifestyle for the sports events could all be charged for.

That could mean additional fees for stall holders or looking at moving the event all together.

He said: “If we’re suddenly faced with literally thousands of pounds of additional costs we’d have to review the whole situation.

“One option could be to hold it at Overtoun Park as that wouldn’t require street closures, which could be another additional cost. However, I haven’t discussed this with Friends of Overtoun Park or the other members of the Landemer committee.”

He added: “These are only draft proposals and need to be firmed up.”

South Lanarkshire Council said budget decisions will be taken at the meeting on January 26.